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Having to relocate at the end of the year for work reasons, the shopper is thinking about buying a flat with his girlfriend in Hastings. They are both first-time buyers, both work in the hospitality industry and earn a combined income of £40,000. Other than £300 on a credit card they have no other debts. They have managed to put together a deposit of £7000 and would like to know about the likelihood of getting a mortgage.

Informed Financial Advice

Hastings, TN38 9UH

www.informedfa.co.uk

Speed of response: Time of call: 10.45am. The call was answered quickly after two rings. The shopper was transferred to a mortgage adviser after a short time on hold.

Rating: 3/5 stars

Telephone manner: The adviser was polite and professional. He was not especially animated but was friendly.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Qualifications: Unprompted the adviser quickly said he was fully independent and covered the whole of market. He said Informed was an appointed representative of Sesame and therefore was fully compliant. The adviser failed to mention his specific qualifications.

Rating: 2/5 stars

Payment method: The adviser told the shopper how the initial consultation would be free and after that payment would either be by fee or commission.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Guidance: The adviser took some details and searched his system to find out how many products were currently available that might suit the shopper, finding 54. He said the shopper would not have to pay any stamp duty, however he should also consider there would be solicitors costs, valuation fees and arrangement fees. The adviser told the shopper he should establish his monthly outgoings, such as personal loans and credit card payments, which would be deducted from his income.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Knowledge: The adviser made it clear he knew his stuff regarding mortgages and gave the shopper a lot of information to go away and consider.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Verdict: The adviser was very knowledgeable and gave the shopper some sound advice as well as a good introduction to the market. He offered to send the shopper some additional information. The adviser was extremely professional and polite, however he bordered on being a little too serious and could have made the shopper feel a bit more at ease.

Rating: 21/30 stars

Lyn Cooke Associates Limited,

Hastings, TN35 4DL

No web presence

Speed of response: Time of call: 11.07am. The call was picked up by an adviser after three rings.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Telephone manner: The adviser was friendly and personable. She was polite and eager to help the shopper.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Qualifications: The adviser told the shopper she was fairly newly qualified but did not elaborate.

Rating: 2/5 stars

Payment method: Payment would normally be by way of commission from the lender or fee.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Guidance: Having a deposit was a good start, the adviser said. She asked the shopper about his debt history and any loans he may have and came to the conclusion he should not have much of a problem in getting a mortgage. The adviser also told the shopper to be aware of other costs such as solicitors fees and and valuation fees. Her main advice for the shopper was to save as much as possible for a decent deposit. The adviser explained the difference in interest-only mortgages and repayment deals and also told him about fixed and tracker rates.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Knowledge: The adviser displayed great deal of knowledge about the mortgage market and gave the shopper a lot of information to think about.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Verdict: Friendly and eager to help the shopper, the adviser listened carefully and made him feel very much at ease. She knew what she was talking about and seemed genuinely interested in the shopper's situation. She suggested they arrange a meeting but was not at all pushy about this.

Rating: 24/30 stars

Mike Robertson Associates Limited,

Hastings, TN33 0EN

www.mraltd.com

Speed of response: Time of call: 11.25am. The call was answered after four rings and the shopper was placed on hold and then put through to an adviser.

Rating: 3/5 stars

Telephone manner: The adviser was friendly without being overly familiar and seemed willing to chat to the shopper.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Qualifications: The adviser told the shopper he did not deal with mortgages but offered holistic financial planning advice. He said he could give the shopper some generic mortgage advice.

Rating: 1/5 stars

Payment method: As the adviser was only giving the shopper some friendly advice, no payment was mentioned.

Rating: 0/5 stars

Guidance: He asked about the joint income of the shopper and his girlfriend and asked him about any credit cards he may have. He explained the importance of a good credit rating, which he would have as long as he made his payments on time and did not have any CCJs. He told the shopper he would not have to pay stamp duty, but should think about legal and valuation fees that would reduce his deposit. The shopper was told about the difference between interest-only mortgages and capital repayment.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Knowledge: For someone who did not specialise in mortgages, the adviser was able to give very good and sound advice and knew exactly what he was talking about.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Verdict: The adviser was very friendly and easy to talk to. He gave the shopper sensible and thorough advice. He comprehensively explained the market and seemed genuinely interested in helping the shopper even though he knew there would be no business out of it for him.

Rating: 17/30 stars